Illinois House approves 'puppy lemon law'

Illinois residents who buy a dog or cat from a pet store only to find out the animal is seriously ill would have additional legal protection under a bill approved 67-49 by the Illinois House Monday.

Lauren Leone-Cross

Illinois residents who buy a dog or cat from a pet store only to find out the animal is seriously ill would have additional legal protection under a bill approved 67-49 by the Illinois House Monday.

Sponsoring Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Chicago, said the goal of the bill, also known as the “puppy lemon law,” is to protect consumers and animals, while encouraging pet stores to work with reliable, safe breeders.

The bill was previously approved in the Senate 31-18, but it will head back there for another vote after an amendment was added in the House.

Under the plan, consumers with a defective pet would have three options: choose to keep the pet and be reimbursed for veterinary fees equal to the amount of the purchase price, return the pet for a refund or return the pet for another of similar value.

Buyers would have 21 days to act, but if the pet has a more serious congenital or hereditary problem that adversely affects its health, the consumer has up to one year to seek legal recourse. For the claims to be valid, a veterinarian has to verify that the animal died or became sickly within those time frames.

Rep. David Harris, R-Mount Prospect, raised concerns that giving consumers an entire year to seek legal recourse could be “going too far” because certain dog breeds, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, is known to be predisposed for certain congenital diseases.

Zalewski argued that many congenital and hereditary diseases often are not detectable within the first couple of months.

“This isn’t an instance where a veterinarian can go in at 21 days and say the diagnosis is X,” Zalewski said.

The amended language allows for pet stores to offer their own warranties, so that the consumer can choose between that and the warranty required by the state if the store discloses to the customer there’s an alternative available.

The House version also changes how much owners can be reimbursed for vet fees, to an amount equal to the original price of the animal (rather than twice the amount, which was in the original bill).

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